Group launches plant a million trees initiative

The African Centre for Environmental Protection (ACEP) has launched its ”Plant a million trees 2020” initiative to commemorate World Environmental Day.

Centre Director Mrs Kaine Chinwah said the tree planting will help restore depleted forests, sustain the environment and reduce the impact of climate change.

She spoke at launching held at the Atrium auditorium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to her, an average size tree produces enough oxygen in one year to keep a family of four breathing.

Mrs Chinwah said trees are useful as they beautify the environment, help prevent desertification, mitigate climatic change and most importantly acts as air filters.

She said no fewer than 400 trees have been planted by ACEP with the hope of raising the number through supports and contribution to one million or above by the end of 2020.

The ACEP chief explained that the project will complement other sustainable development programmes, which she listed as community consulting/dialoguing, community led total sanitation (CLTS); and creation of sustainable environmental enterprise (SEE).

She said the World Environmental Day, which was established by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on human environment, is very symbolic as it addresses environmental challenges in the society.

The event was organised by ACEP and the Rivers State Environment Sanitation Authority (RSESA).

The sole administrator of RSESA, Ade Adeogun, called for effective waste management.

The gathering advocated prudence in food consumption and relaxation of trade restrictions for even access to adequate food by the disadvantaged societies.